Probably the last chart to bury any doubt about just how truly horrible today’s employment data was, comes from a little observed data metric: that showing the number of people who are not in the labor force, but who want a job now[2]. The number just hit 6,643K, a jump of 431K from December, and the highest number in history. These are people that would send the unemployment rate to about 12.8% if they were in the labor force (and, as indicated, looking for a job). Nothing else needs to be said.

[3]

Labor Force Participation Plunges To Fresh 26 Year Low

At 64.2%, the labor force participation rate (as a percentage of the total civilian noninstitutional population) is now at a fresh 26 year low, the lowest since March 1984, and is the only reason why the unemployment rate dropped to 9% (labor force declined from 153,690 to 153,186). Those not in the Labor Force has increased [2]from 83.9 million to 86.2 million, or 2.2 million in one year! As for the numerator in the fraction, the number of unemployed, it has plunged from 15 million to 13.9 million in two months! The only reason for this is due to the increasing disenchantment of those who completely fall off the BLS rolls and no longer even try to look for a job. Lastly, we won’t even show what the labor force is as a percentage of total population. It is a vertical plunge.

[6] Record 1.2 Million People Fall Out Of Labor Force In One Month, Labor Force Participation Rate Tumbles To Fresh 30 Year Low: http://www.prisonplanet.com/record-1-2-million-people-fall-out-of-labor-force-in-one-month-labor-force-participation-rate-tumbles-to-fresh-30-year-low.html

[7] People Who “Want A Job Now” Jumps To Second Highest Ever As Persons Not In Labor Force Reaches Record: http://www.prisonplanet.com/people-who-want-a-job-now-jumps-to-second-highest-ever-as-persons-not-in-labor-force-reaches-record.html

[8] People Not In Labor Force Soar By 663,000 To 90 Million, Labor Force Participation Rate At 1979 Levels: http://www.prisonplanet.com/people-not-in-labor-force-soar-by-663000-to-90-million-labor-force-participation-rate-at-1979-levels.html